(iv) If you intend to visit Kavarati during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India you will be going to
(a) Puducherry
(b) Lakshadweep
(c) Andaman and Nicobar
(d) Diu and Daman

Ans. There is a time lag of two hours from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. It means the sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west. But tie watches show the same time. The earth takes 4 minutes to rotate through 1° of longitude. Therefore, the
time taken by the earth to rotate through 15° longitude is 1 hour. Since India has a longitudinal extent of 30°, so there is a time difference of two hours between Arunachal Pradesh (the easternmost part) and Gujarat (the westernmost part). But the watches are set for all parts of the country according to the Indian Standard Time measured at 82’/2° longitudes. This is the reason
why the watches show the same time everywhere in India.

Q4. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

Ans. The Indian landmass has a central location between the East and the West Asia. India is a southward extension of the Asian continent. The trans Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the West and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India. The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. No other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India has and indeed, it is India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of an ocean after it.
India on International Highway of Trade and Commerce.

MAP SKILLS

Q1. Identify the following with the help of map reading.
(i) The Island groups of India lying in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Ans. The ‘Silk Route’ has its historical importance. It was an important international trade route between China and the Mediterranean sea. China produced large quantities of silk during the ancient time and exported it to the western countries through this route. The traditional silk route was developed as a link between east and west. It promoted exchange of cultural heritage.
In recent times, several new developments have taken place which are improving communication routes in the regions of high altitude. Now, we have motorable roads. Railway lines are also being laid through bridges, tunnels and caves. Means of communication such as telephones, satellite phones, mobile phones etc. can also be found in these regions.